Yale SOM (no $) vs. Anderson ($20k/year)

Question

Hi Everyone,

December was a good month to say the least. I got calls from several schools but now I'm left with a headache that's not too bad to have. I am currently residing in Los Angeles and thinking between the 2 following options:

1. Yale SOM, unfortunately with no scholarship

2. UCLA Anderson, with ($20k scholarship per year)

Overall, based on my estimate, UCLA Anderson would be about $50k cheaper over the course of 2 years. It would also just be easy to move across town than across the country (:p) but I'm not too worried about that.

If it helps, my post-MBA goal is to join MBB (hopefully).

Thanks for the help.

jz4analytics · Answer

From what I understand, MBB doesn't recruit at Anderson (or at least not much - they're not top employers according to the employment report) but will hire some from SOM. Anderson does send a lot of people to Deloitte, EY, and PWC, though. So would you be happy interning at the Big 4 instead of MBB? You'd make the same amount of money at any of those firms. If not, then SOM would be a safer bet.

I also think that the SOM brand is a rising investment - been increasing in ranking lately and I'd bet that it stays in that direction. Over the course of a career $50k isn't much. What's that, $2k a year for the rest of your working life? Better jobs get you that ROI. You might be able to make it up in a single year if the difference ends up being MBB versus a general management position.

///EDIT/// Isn't New Haven much more affordable than LA? I'd include that in the cost calculation.

charcb · Answer

Yale SOM has a soft spot in my equation so you won't find surprising that I say Yale SOM despite not having a scholarship there. But whatever you decide both are great schools and you'll do great in either.

ConfusedB · Answer

Already factored the living cost in too. UCLA's tuition is about $10k cheaper per year so it still ends up being $50 grand cheaper, all costs factored in.

Porkbun123 · Answer

Both are excellent options. Do you have a location preference post MBA?

I read that Yale's MBB offer rate is improving y-o-y. Are you heading to the admitted students weekend next week? You can get some facetime with the consulting club and ask questions in person.

ConfusedB · Answer

Don't really have a location preference. But yes, I will be in NH next week for welcome weekend. I've already reached out to the consulting club today as well.

Porkbun123 · Answer

Awesome! Maybe we'll bump into each other. :lol:

Wilch · Answer

From what I heard, MBBD does most of their hiring from the top 10 and allocates a smaller portion of openings to top 15/20 schools. I think they're one of the few industries that lets MBA rankings pre-vet their candidates. It's very lazy of them, but it is what it is.

Another anecdote I've heard is that Bain is looking to make Yale SOM one of its core target schools - you might be able to find out more on this on the welcome weekend.

At last, if you're location agnostic post-MBA, I'd go with Yale.

bb · Answer

Yale SOM (no $) vs. Anderson ($20k/year)

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